My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide

cake is so

motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the

Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her

Rachel must blow out the

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there was

the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up beside

wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling

clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles

thank you!” their parents

dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the

finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As for the

about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep

and

her apartment and about to

was propped open

made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it. Suddenly, she

out on

house and shut the door before surveying

“I see you’ve been getting along

steps back.

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

he approached her,

Rachel had no idea what she did

her arm and pulled, she staggered after